The 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier annual fashion event, officially commenced today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), this four-day event runs until September 5 and is open free of charge to both industry buyers and the public. This year's fair has attracted a record-breaking 270 international brands from 24 countries and regions, showcasing the latest fashion trends and creative innovations.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, emphasized the event's role in leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages: "CENTRESTAGE gathers a constellation of global fashion brands and design luminaries. Through this platform, we aim to leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages as an international business hub and a superconnector. We enable Hong Kong brands to connect with overseas buyers, while simultaneously attracting international labels to use Hong Kong as a springboard into Asia, fostering two-way collaboration and creating more business opportunities."
A major debut this year is the Hype2 pavilion, a dedicated zone focusing on streetwear labels spearheaded by local celebrities and KOLs. Exhibitors include Rosita Kwok’s Claro, Vincent Wong’s OGIS, Kelvin Kwan’s PICK AND MATCH, ROSEMA.ESE X Jaime Cheung, and Pakho Chau’s XPX. The pavilion launched approximately 30 limited-edition products, with a special "Hype2 Runway Show" scheduled for September 4.
The grand opening fashion show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, featured KIT WAN STUDIOS, a multidisciplinary design studio led by Hong Kong-born creative director Kit Wan. The show presented over 30 brand-new looks from the collection "MUTANT // MYTHOLOGY," which was also livestreamed across multiple platforms. Kit Wan will engage in a sharing session with Dan Hastings, Editor of The Business of Fashion, on September 4.
Korea is serving as CENTRESTAGE's Featured Partner for the first time, with the largest-ever Korean pavilion. Organized by KOTRA, HISEOUL SHOWROOM, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, the pavilion brings 12 renowned Seoul designer brands, including DOUCAN, ELNORE, and RE RH'EE, alongside the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio. A thematic fashion show, "SEOUListic: The Future is Sustainable," will feature former IZ*ONE member Lee Chae-yeon as a guest performer.
New to the fair are exhibitors from Austria, Colombia, the Faroe Islands, Malaysia, Slovakia, and the UAE. The Austrian pavilion, coordinated by Austrian Trade Commission, debuted with seven brands. The Canadian pavilion showcases high-end, female-founded brands like Iris Setlakwe and Devlyn Van Loon. The exhibition also features pavilions from Thailand, Quanzhou, Macao, and Australia.
This year's exhibition introduces a new Perfume zone, featuring over 20 fragrance brands from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam making their Hong Kong retail debut. The fair also includes thematic zones such as Accessories, Craftsmanship, Contemporary, Urban, Athleisure, and Circular Fashion, highlighting diverse fashion sectors.
Over 40 events will take place, including a historic high of more than 30 runway shows. Key highlights include the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show on September 3, inspired by "Hong Kong Dopamine," and FASHIONALLY presentations supporting young designers. The Redress Design Award 2026 Grand Final and the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2026 will also be held, with the YDC finale on September 5.
Interactive zones such as the Fashion Sound Lab and SNAPIO Stand offer immersive experiences. The HKTDC has invited international buyers, including B1OCK, Dongliang, 10 Corso Como, Muninsa, Dover Street Market London, and Selfridges, to source at the fair. CENTRESTAGE is held concurrently with the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE, offering a one-stop shopping experience.
For more information, visit the CENTRESTAGE website. The event is part of the third edition of Hong Kong Fashion Fest, which runs from September 1 to 14.
